SHOW OMAGH RESPONSE TO US FIRST: BOARD
Show Omagh response to us first: Board
By Noel McAdam
Political Correspondent
CHIEF Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan has been urged to detail his response to the controversial Ombudsman's report on the Omagh bomb investigation to the Policing Board first. There was unanimous agreement at the Board meeting yesterday that Sir Ronnie should be advised to present his reply to it "prior to wider distribution". SDLP member Joe Byrne said it was a "clear and compelling signal" of the Board's determination to respond "rigorously" to Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's report.
"The Board is of the opinion that the Chief Constable should respond quickly to the report, which he has had for seven weeks," he added.
The Board, which shifted its meeting from public to private, has agreed to a series of discussions involving the Chief Constable, Ombudsman and the Omagh families. Chairman Desmond Rea said: "It remains our task to ensure that policing is fully accountable and transparent. But we also remain fully aware of the major sensitivities of the report and will give it full and proper consideration.
"However, to meet this responsibility, we have to be in possession of all the relevant information on the Omagh report, at which time we, as a Board, will make our decisions." DUP Board member Sammy Wilson said it would listen to an explanation from Sir Ronnie and then question Mrs O'Loan about the report, and its initial leaking.
"We are also pleased that the Board agreed the discussions with the Chief Constable and Ombudsman should be held in private in order to avoid a repeat of the media frenzy that accompanied the leaking of the report and its eventual publication," he added.
Mr Flanagan has also been asked to report on proposed local police station closures to the next monthly Board meeting.
"There has been little or no public consultation on the issue," Mr Wilson said
By Noel McAdam
Political Correspondent
CHIEF Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan has been urged to detail his response to the controversial Ombudsman's report on the Omagh bomb investigation to the Policing Board first. There was unanimous agreement at the Board meeting yesterday that Sir Ronnie should be advised to present his reply to it "prior to wider distribution". SDLP member Joe Byrne said it was a "clear and compelling signal" of the Board's determination to respond "rigorously" to Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's report.
"The Board is of the opinion that the Chief Constable should respond quickly to the report, which he has had for seven weeks," he added.
The Board, which shifted its meeting from public to private, has agreed to a series of discussions involving the Chief Constable, Ombudsman and the Omagh families. Chairman Desmond Rea said: "It remains our task to ensure that policing is fully accountable and transparent. But we also remain fully aware of the major sensitivities of the report and will give it full and proper consideration.
"However, to meet this responsibility, we have to be in possession of all the relevant information on the Omagh report, at which time we, as a Board, will make our decisions." DUP Board member Sammy Wilson said it would listen to an explanation from Sir Ronnie and then question Mrs O'Loan about the report, and its initial leaking.
"We are also pleased that the Board agreed the discussions with the Chief Constable and Ombudsman should be held in private in order to avoid a repeat of the media frenzy that accompanied the leaking of the report and its eventual publication," he added.
Mr Flanagan has also been asked to report on proposed local police station closures to the next monthly Board meeting.
"There has been little or no public consultation on the issue," Mr Wilson said
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0814
Published Date: 10-Jan-02
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